Appealing admissions decisions

Most students who apply to at least one “reach” school experience at least one rejection. Applicants who get rejected during college admissions may feel frustrated, angry, sad, or misunderstood. These feelings are to be expected, and are a natural part of the learning and maturation process.

Once an applicant sorts through these feelings and begins planning next steps, it may be natural to wonder: Is there anything I can do? Can I appeal an admissions decision?

The short answer to this question, in some cases, is yes. Most colleges do have a process by which your application can be reviewed a second time. You can contact the admissions office to find out why your application was rejected, and you can ask what their appeals process is. Normally the process involves writing a letter to the admissions committee, and including a letter of support from the college counselor at your high school that corroborates your reasons for appeal.

Before you get too excited, though, let me offer a few words of caution. First, most appeals do not result in a reversal of the college’s original decision. Second, if you were rejected in the first place, you may find that the school is not a great fit for you—which was likely the reason your application was denied in the first place. You may struggle academically and/or socially, and you may end up not graduating from that school. Third, do you really want to set yourself up for the pain of another round of rejection?

That said, there could be good cause for appeal. Let’s say you re-took the SAT in the fall and raised your score by 80 points. That could be enough to nudge your application from “borderline” to “admitted.” The same could be true if you significantly raised your GPA during fall semester of your senior year, or if you led your cross-country team to a state championship.

I don't push students to appeal admissions decisions. I encourage them to move their #2 choice into the #1 slot if they can see their way to doing it. Students are less likely to receive a competitive merit scholarship from a "reach" school, and they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging at a college that wanted them from the beginning.